February's Book of the Month

Hello Everyone! I chose the picture posted above because it reminds me of reading to my daughter Mareena when she was little. Every afternoon until she was about eight or nine years old, we would take one of her books that she wanted to read or that she was reading and we would curl up together on my big bed. 

We would spend an hour or so reading a chapter of her book, and then take a nap together. Her absolutely favorite author at that time was an English author named Enid Blyton. Ahh, nice memories...

My picks for 'Books of the Month' will be decidedly more adult these days, but they will be from almost any genre. February's Book of the Month is: 

Daphne du Maurier: The Secret Life of the Renowned Storyteller by Margaret Forster

Published as: Daphne du Maurier in September 1993

Publisher: Doubleday

Birth Name: Margaret Forster

Born: 25 May 1938 in Carlisle, England

Canonical Name: Margaret Forster

Pseudonyms: None

Daphne du Maurier: The Secret Life of the Renowned Storyteller by Margaret Forster was the twentieth book that I read in 2014. I have had this book on my TBR shelf since December 11, 2013 and it took me three days to read. This book is a definite keeper for me!

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Margaret Forster - Daphne du Maurier: The Secret Life of the Renowned Storyteller

20. Daphne du Maurier: The Secret Life of the Renowned Storyteller by Margaret Forster (1993)
Length: 457 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction
Started: 24 February 2014
Finished: 27 February 2014
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 11 December 2013
Why do I have it? I like non-fiction and Margaret Forster is a new author for me.

This biography explores the motivations behind Daphne du Maurier's numerous spellbinding works. In a prolific writing career that began in 1931 with The Loving Spirit and subsequently spanned fifty years, the portrait that emerges is that of a woman constantly at odds with herself. Her various literary achievements coupled with a drive to succeed often conflicted with her role as a wife and a mother.

Access to Daphne's personal correspondence has allowed the author to reveal such private details of her life as Daphne's bisexual extramarital attractions, which included a longtime infatuation with Gertrude Lawrence - an English singer and actress, famous for her appearances on the London stage and on Broadway. 

Daphne's rich fantasy life and fertile imagination enabled her to write captivating novels epitomized by 1938's Rebecca - a story which continues to endure even to this day. This richly layered biography aptly unveils the passionate nature of a woman who spent her life portraying the secrets of the sexual tensions between men and women. 

I absolutely loved this book. I learned much more about Daphne du Maurier's life than I was expecting. I will say that Margaret Forster's writing style stopped just short of providing too much detail, although I would still give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)
       
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Andy Hoffman - Love Kills: The Stalking of Diane Newton King

19. Love Kills: The Stalking of Diane Newton King by Andy Hoffman (1994)
Length: 258 pages
Genre: True Crime
Started: 19 February 2014
Finished: 21 February 2014
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 29 January 2014
Why do I have it? I like true crime and have read and enjoyed Family Affairs by the same author in the past.

On February 9, 1991 - outside her Marshall, Michigan home - a popular television newscaster was shot to death in front of her two young children. At the time of her murder, Diane Newton King had been working for the Battle Creek television station, WOTV, for two years as the morning news anchor. To everyone who watched her on television, it appeared that Diane Newton King was living an idyllic life. She had a fulfilling career, a beautiful family, and a devoted ex-cop husband who simply adored her.

However, Diane's fame also brought with it an equal amount of terror into her life. She began receiving anonymous phone calls and mysterious notes - at first fawning, then insistent...then threatening. Finally, on a winter's day in 1991, the pretty, personable broadcast journalist was gunned down in her own driveway, as her children sat buckled in their carseats.

Diane Newton King was dead - the apparent victim of an obsessed fan-turned-stalker's twisted infatuation. But the investigation that followed soon revealed a shocking truth the police feared they could never prove: the real killer was waiting for her at home...as close to Diane as 'Till Death do we Part'.

I must say that I'd never heard of Diane Newton King's murder, although I also read Family Affairs - another book by Andy Hoffman - last month. One element of Andy Hoffman's writing that I really appreciate, is that he writes about the crime and subsequent court case very simply. He doesn't become enmeshed with the various peripheral issues of a case. I give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Alicia Clifford - The Affair: A Novel

18. The Affair: A Novel by Alicia Clifford (2012)
Length: 280 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 17 February 2014
Finished: 19 February 2014
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 21 November 2013
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and Alicia Clifford is a new author for me.

Over the years, Celia Bayley's books had inspired her readers and won her legions of fans. It was generally considered that Celia's comprehension of the ways of human heart was almost legendary - and that those insights are what made her famous as an author. And why shouldn't Celia Bayley's fans believe this? After all, she had married a handsome war hero and produced three successful children - the very definition of a 'happily ever after' kind of life. 

Yet, as Celia's family gathers together for her funeral, the diaries and notebooks and letters she left behind paint an entirely different picture - one that shocks those who loved her and will ultimately force them to confront the difficult conflicts in their own lives.

A life torn apart by secrets is revealed. The husband Celia adored deceived her early in their marriage and had broken her heart, although they persevered as a family. Then, years later while on a trip with friends, she meets a man for whom she feels a passion she never believed was possible. In one brief moment, Celia's life is turned inside out, and she is faced with an agonizing choice.

I thought this book was beautifully written. It took me a few pages to get into the story, but once I got the characters straightened out, the story became easier for me to follow. The characters were sympathetically drawn, and I found myself caring for them and the various dilemmas in which they found themselves. Extremely powerful and moving, this book is ultimately about marriages, families, and the definition of personal happiness.

I must admit, despite some unanswered questions left in my mind, this book was exactly the kind of story that I like to read. I give this book an A+! and will certainly keep my eyes open for more books by this author to read in the future.

A+! - (96-100%)
            
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Michael Collins - Lost Souls

17. Lost Souls by Michael Collins (2003)
Length: 261 pages
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Started: 15 February 2014
Finished: 17 February 2014
Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 12 February 2014
Why do I have it? I like contemporary mysteries and Michael Collins is a new author for me.

Among the acts of petty vandalism and various teenage pranks played on Halloween night, a true tragedy is discovered. A local police officer finds the body of a little girl, dressed as an angel, concealed in a pile of autumn leaves. With the streets full of trick-or-treating children, it looks like she might have been the victim of a hit-and-run. But how did a three-year-old child come to be hiding there alone in the dark, dressed in her flimsy costume? And why were the child's feet bare?

As the investigation proceeds and the media's spotlight intensifies, a much more ominous story unfolds. It's the typical story the media thrives on -  a ghastly crime, a bungled cover-up, and tantalizing rumors of an innocence defiled. While the mayor and chief of police conspire to divert attention from the primary suspect - a local high school football hero whom they hope will take their town all the way to the state championship - it is left to the man who discovered the child's body to find the truth beneath the cover-up.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I found the lead character very sympathetic - I felt so sorry for him, and the position that he found himself in. The plot was very intricate, and had me wondering who could have committed the crime right from the beginning. I will say that the mystery left me with several unanswered questions in my mind, and that left me slightly perplexed. Overall though, I give Lost Souls by Michael Collins an A! - it really was very good.

A! - (90-95%)
 
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Mary Alice Monroe - Time is a River: A Novel

16. Time is a River: A Novel by Mary Alice Monroe (2008)
Length: 466 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 14 February 2014
Finished: 15 February 2014
Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 12 February 2014
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

Recovering from breast cancer and still reeling from the revelation of her husband's infidelity, Mia Landan flees her Charleston home for the healing serenity of the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. She seeks refuge in a neglected cabin belonging to her fly-fishing instructor, Belle Carson.

Belle has recently inherited the cabin, which once belonged to a grandmother she never knew - a legendary fly fisher and journalist from the 1920s. Kate Watkins may have once been spoken of with great reverence and pride among her peers, but after she is accused of murdering her lover, her life falls into ruins. Her fortune lost in the stock market crash and her reputation utterly destroyed, Kate retreated into seclusion in the remote cabin. After her death, the fishing cabin remained locked and virtually abandoned for decades.

Little does Belle realize that by opening the cabin doors to Mia for a summer's sanctuary, she will be reopening the scandal that has plagued her family for generations.

From her first step inside the dusty cabin, Mia is captivated by the remnants of Kate's mysterious story left behind in the eccentric furnishings of her cabin. And though Belle, ashamed of the tabloid scandal that tortured her mother, warns Mia not to fan the flames, Mia feels compelled to find out more about Kate...especially when she discovers Kate's journal.

The inspiring words of a remarkable woman echo across the years; and Mia - just learning to fly-fish - finds Kate's wise words comparing life to a river resonate deeply. She begins a quest to uncover the truth behind the lies. As she searches newspaper archives and listens to the colorful recollections of the local residents, the story of a proud, fiercely independent woman emerges.

Mia feels a strange kinship with the woman who, like her, suffered fears, betrayal, the death of loved ones, and a fall from grace - yet found strength, compassion and, ultimately, forgiveness in her isolation. A truly inspiring story is revealed - timeless in its appeal, with the power to reopen old wounds, but a story which also is a miraculous balm - bringing peace and healing for Mia, for Kate's descendants, and for all those in Mia's new community.

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. I found that the plot was relatively fast-paced - although there were some scenes that moved along at a more leisurely pace. Overall though, this was a very quick read that drew me in right from the beginning. I was also intrigued by the mysterious subplot and wanted to know what would happen next. I give this book an A! and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A! - (90-95%)
     
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Philippa Carr - The Miracle at St. Bruno's

Re-read. The Miracle at St. Bruno's by Philippa Carr (1972) 
The Daughters of England Series Book 1
Length: 381 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Originally Read: 5 July 2011
Re-read Finished: 13 February 2014
Where did it come from? Originally from a Library Book Sale. It was put on my shelf as a book by one of my favorite authors.

I think I may have read this book a total of three times - although, I know that I've definitely read it at least twice. The first reading was perhaps fifteen or twenty years ago, the second was from July 1st, to July 5th, 2011, and my third reading of this book was from February 7th, to February 13th, 2014. I'm going to put this book on several swapping sites to see if someone else might like to read it.

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Mary Alice Monroe - The Beach House

14. The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe (2002)
The Beach House Series Book 1
Length: 407 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 31 January 2014
Finished: 6 February 2014
Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 27 January 2014
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

Caretta Rutlege had thought that by moving to Chicago at age eighteen, she had effectively left her Southern roots and troubled family far behind her. Over the past two decades, Cara had created a comfortable life for herself, as well as a successful career that kept her busy. The status of polite truce that currently exists between herself and her mother has worked well for them both - and she sees no reason why that should change.

But an unusual request from her mother - coming just as her own life is spinning out of control - has Cara questioning the years of self-imposed estrangement. So now, she is heading back to the Isle of Palms - back to the scenic Lowcountry of her childhood summers. Before long, the rhythms of the island open her heart in wonderful ways as she repairs the family beach house, becomes a bona fide "turtle lady" and renews old acquaintances long thought lost. But it is in reconnecting with her mother that she will learn life's most precious lessons - true love involves sacrifice, family is forever, and the mistakes of the past can be forgiven.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a very well-written story, with an engaging plot and sympathetic characters. In my opinion, my reading pace was slower with this book - much slower than with some books that I've read recently.

It certainly had nothing to do with this particular book, overall the story was still very interesting - I just think that I was slightly distracted while reading. I give this book a definite A! and will certainly be reading more from this author in the future.

I've read two previous books by different authors relatively recently - both dealing with sea turtles as an element of the plots. Some readers may find learning so much about sea turtles very informative, but for me, I may have just learned too much, too fast. As a result, I went into 'Sea Turtle Information Overload'!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Reading Wrap-up For January at Moonshine and Rosefire

Hello everyone out there and I hope that you all had a terrific reading month for yourselves. I am known as Rosefire around the Internet and this is my new personal reading blog. I originally posted my reviews over at my daughter's blog, Emeraldfire's Bookmark but am now in the process of transferring them all over to my own blog. My daughter makes blogging look like so much fun that I thought that I would try it out for myself! :)

Anyway, I started out January with 917 unread books lying around the house and ended the month with 904 books unread. All the books that I acquired this month came from Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Bookmooch and Paperback Swap.

Let me try to break down the influx for you:

Rereads
- Saint Maybe by Anne Tyler

Changes to the TBR pile

Read from my TBR pile (Yes! I am a reading machine :))
- White Widow by Jim Lehrer
- 204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
- Family Pictures by Sue Miller
- Burnt Mountain: A Novel by Anne Rivers Siddons
- Shooting at Loons by Margaret Maron
- Sweetgrass by Mary Alice Monroe
- So Far... by Kelsey Grammer
- Siege by Domini Taylor
- Sidney Sheldon's Angel of the Dark by Tilly Bagshawe
- Family Affairs by Andy Hoffman
- Nurses Who Led the Way: Real Life Stories of Courageous Women in an Exciting Profession by Adele and Cateau de Leeuw
- The Rome Affair by Laura Caldwell

Added to my TBR pile (oh well, you win some and you lose some! Not too bad though, I suppose:))
- The Royals by Kitty Kelley
- Ancient Egypt: Kingdom of the Pharaohs by Parragon Publishing
- History's Worst Decisions and the People Who Made Them: Illustrated Edition by Stephen Weir
- Ashenden: A Novel by Elizabeth Wilhide
- Saving Ben by Ashley H. Farley
- The Card Counter by James Kipling
- I am Flying: A Novelette by James F. Ross
- Hide and Seek by P. S. Brown
- People in the Walls: Clueless by T. A. Crossbarn
- She Pulls Off the Interstate by Eugene Ahn
- Hallowed by Bryant Delafosse
- Long Holler Road: A Dark Southern Thriller by David Lee Malone
- BlackDown by D. M. Mitchell
- Sparrow Migrations by Cari Noga
- The Cut-Out by Jon King
- Bad Call: A Psychological Thriller by James Harper
- The Man Who Built Boxes and Other Stories by Frank Tavares
- Outrunning Josephine Finch by Kristine McCord
- Burnt Offerings by Michael Lister
- The Sixth Sense by Lawrence Gold
- Breaking Twig by Deborah Epperson
- The Gypsy's Dream by Sara Alexi
- Painted Red by Douglas Parks
- Sleep in Heavenly Peace by M. William Phelps
- Sex, Lies and Hot Tubs by Elissa Ambrose
- Summer of Firefly Memories by Joan Gable
- Hook and Peter by Doram Jacoby
- Chasing the Storm: A Thriller Novel by Michael Molsted
- State of the Heart: Short Stories on Relationships, Love and Life by Nelton D'Souza
- The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe
- Reinventing Claire by Darian Wilk
- Driftwood by Shauna Bickley
- Love Kills: The Stalking of Diane Newton King by Andy Hoffman
- Where we Fell by Amber L. Johnson
- Advent of Perpetual Sorrows by A. A. Pencil
- Stealing Jenny by Ellen Gable

Taken off my TBR pile and sent to a new home (Yay! Happy Dance! :))  
- The Wings of the Dove by Henry James
- Blood Test by Jonathan Kellerman
- The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden
- Chicken Soup For the Soul: 101 Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
- Charisma by Orania Papazoglou
- December by Phil Rickman
- Burnt Mountain: A Novel by Anne Rivers Siddons
- The Decline and Fall of the House of Windsor by Donald Spoto
- 204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
- Iceberg by Clive Cussler
- Family Album by Danielle Steel
- Personal Injuries by Scott Turow
- The Summer I Dared: A Novel by Barbara Delinsky
- They Always Call us Ladies: Stories From Prison by Jean Harris
- English, Welsh, and Scottish Country Inns and Castle Hotels: A Travel Guide to Britain, Including 10 Itineraries and Descriptions of Over 100 Atmospheric Hotels by Karen Brown
- Returning: A Spiritual Journey by Dan Wakefield

Well, there it is...the breakdown! All in all, a very good reading month for me. Here's a further breakdown:

Books Read: 13
Pages Read: 4,095
Grade Range: A+! to B!

So, there you go! The reading month that was January. I hope that you all had an equally good reading month; if not a little better. :) See you all next month! :)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight